The member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has secured the Labour Party ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His emergence followed a consensus affirmation by party delegates across the three local government areas that form the constituency.
According to a statement from his media office on Sunday, the process recorded about 52,000 votes during direct primaries conducted across the constituency, a development the camp says reflects his rising political influence shortly after his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Agbese, who also serves as Deputy Spokesperson of the House, left the APC after formally announcing his resignation on the floor of the Green Chamber before joining the Labour Party.
The lawmaker was officially confirmed as the party’s flag bearer during ward congresses held across the 35 council wards in Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo (Enone Federal Constituency).
The National Returning Officer for Benue State, Dr Aminu Atonu, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible. He also announced Samuel Onuh as the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for Benue South, while Dr Mathias Byuan emerged as the governorship candidate for the state.
Speaking after his confirmation, Agbese expressed appreciation to party members and constituents, describing the outcome as a strong vote of confidence in his leadership.
He said residents turned out in large numbers despite rainfall to reaffirm their support across all 35 wards of the constituency.
Reflecting on his political journey, Agbese noted that he was first elected into the National Assembly in 2023 under the APC, but said consultations with constituents led to a shift to the Labour Party as a more suitable platform.
According to him, supporters not only endorsed the move but followed him into the new party, helping to build its structure rapidly across the constituency.
He added that the Labour Party in the state had grown into a broad-based movement with thousands of registered members, driven by grassroots participation.
Agbese also highlighted the party’s expanding structure ahead of the 2027 elections, saying it now fields candidates across multiple positions, including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship level.
He described the Labour Party as a people-centred platform that reflects the aspirations of ordinary citizens rather than elite control.
Political activities have continued to intensify across Benue State and other parts of the country as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Labour Party seeking to strengthen its presence through grassroots mobilisation and recruitment of political office holders.